IMPORTANT DEFINITIONS IN ORTHODONTICS

🔸ADAPTIVE SWALLOWING PATTERN: A swallowing pattern that exists when a normal lip-to-lip anterior oral seal cannot be achieved.

🔸ANCHORAGE: The resistance to unwanted three-dimensional forces generated in reaction to the active components of an appliance.

🔸ANGLE CLASSIFICATION: A classification of malocclusion introduced by Edward Angle based on the anteroposterior relationship of the first permanent molars.

🔸ANGULATION: The mesiodistal angulation of the long axis of a tooth in relationship to a line drawn perpendicular to the occlusal plane (compared with inclination).

🔸ANKYLOSIS: An abnormal fusion between two bones or between a tooth and bone.

🔸ANODONTIA: The developmental absence of all primary and secondary teeth.

🔸ANTERIOR OPEN BITE: No vertical overlap exists between the maxillary and mandibular incisors when the molars are occluded.

🔸ANTERIOR ORAL SEAL: A seal produced between the lips, the lower lip and palate or the tongue and lips to prevent expulsion of a bolus during mastication.